About
Blog
Women’s Health
Recipes
Work With Me
Get In Touch

Search for:

Start typing and press
Enter to search

open search form close search form

Skip to content

Kayla MacDonald, R.H.N.

Bioindividual Holistic Nutrition

open search form close search form

About
Blog
Women’s Health
Recipes
Work With Me
Get In Touch

Get In Touch

Name(required)

Email(required)

Comment(required)

Follow Us!

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search for:

Tags

comox valley comox valley holistic nutrition digestion digestive health fermented foods fibre food as medicine healing healthy digestion healthy gut holistic nutrition Keto Ketogenic Keytones kombucha MCT Oil nutrition paleo diet plant medicine prebiotics probiotics vancouver island whole foods

Facebook

Facebook

Instagram

Can’t wait to be dreaming dock-side... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #lifeofadventures #liveoutdoors #theoutdoorfolk #adventureculture #roadlesstravelled #modernoutdoors #welivetoexplore #bevisuallyinspired #perspective #optoutside #travelawesome #roamtheplanet #goneoutdoors #lifestylephotography #lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #adventureculture #wildernessculture #pnw #pnwwonderland #radgirlscollective #likeamountaingirl #theladyalliance #outdoorwomen #womenwhoexplore #wildernessbabes #sailor #sailing #sail

Summer salads... . Greens, herbs and edible flowers • tomatoes + cukes • homegrown basil • local bocconcini • olive oil + balsamic . Simple. Fresh. Nourishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #balancednotclean #foodasmedicine #prolactinoma #hormonebalance #pcosdiet #holisticnutrition #selfcare #intuitiveeating #balance #alternativemedicine #foodfreedom #infertility #amenorrhea #hypothalamicamenorrhea #amenorrhearecovery #naturalfertility #fertilitydiet #fertilitywarrior #fitpregnancy #healthypregnancy #hormonebalancing #plantmedicine #holisticnutrition #holisticnutritionist #nutritionist #herbalist #primal #keto #ketodiet #healthynothungry

This spring, I harvested a bunch of horsetail that was growing nearby. I dried it out for the longest time, and just recently cut it for tea! . . Horsetail is very rich in minerals including silica, which promotes hair and nail growth and strength, and skin elasticity. It’s also good for joint health, as silica promotes collagen production! You can make an infusion of horsetail, as well as a tincture. I think next year I’ll make an oxymel (vinegar extract) which is good for preserving minerals and other components of the plant that alcohol would destroy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #forage #foraging #wildharvest #herbalist #herbalism #plantmedicine #foodismedicine #nutritionist #nutrition #holisticnutrition #holisticnutritionist #womenshealth #hairskinnails #jointhealth #holistichealth #holistichealing #pnwonderland #pnw #westcoast #vancouverisland #herbs #herb #balancednotclean #healthynothungry #selfcare #balance #primal #paleo #paleodiet

This time last year we were out at sea for weeks on end exploring any island that got in our way. Hornby, Texada, Lasqueti, and Jedidiah were only a few that we touched. . . . Being on the ocean is so sobering from our obsessively busy, technology-consumed, work-driven lives... I always find myself grounded and reconnected after time on the water. . . . I’m so excited to be leaving this weekend for another adventure. We’ve only got just over a week, but we’re going to let the wind lead us from here to the Sunshine Coast, and everywhere in between. This will be a well-needed break from society to find our peace in the present. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #lifeofadventures #liveoutdoors #theoutdoorfolk #adventureculture #roadlesstravelled #modernoutdoors #welivetoexplore #bevisuallyinspired #perspective #optoutside #travelawesome #roamtheplanet #goneoutdoors #lifestylephotography #lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #canonphotography #westcoast #adventuretime #adventureculture #wildernessculture #mindfulness #gratitude #healing #holisticnutrition #holistichealth #pnw #pnwonderland #sail #sailor #sailing

What does eating locally mean to you? . . . Everything on this plate from the vegetables and steak to the butter and sea salt are sourced from local farmers and artisans. . . . To me, local means: . . Greater nutrient density. The fresher food is and the more recently it came out of the ground, the higher in vitamins and minerals it is. This is often reflected in deeper colours and richer flavours than conventional or imported produce. . . Animals are more likely to be treated with love and respect, and allowed freedom to roam and graze. Not only is this more humane, but it also is reflected in the quality of meat and eggs you receive. . . Buying from local farms also supports small businesses and their families. Over time, the increased demand for local, organic foods will encourage grocery stores to carry more of these items! . . . Where are some of your local farms? Mine are @lostsavannasoap for their meat boxes, bison, and handmade soap; @clevercrowseasalts for their greens, organic chickens and sea salt; and Sieffert’s farm for all things fruits and vegetables! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #balancednotclean #foodasmedicine #prolactinoma #hormonebalance #hormonehealth #pcosdiet #holistichealth #holisticnutrition #selfcare #intuitiveeating #balance #alternativemedicine #foodfreedom #infertility #amenorrhea #hypothalamicamenorrhea #amenorrhearecovery #hormonehealth #naturalfertility #fertilitydiet #fertilitywarrior #fitpregnancy #healthypregnancy #hormonebalancing #plantmedicine #holisticnutrition #holisticnutritionist #nutritionist #herbalist #localfarmers #supportlocal

Last nights meal - homemade chicken strips, yucca fries and the easiest honey mustard sauce EVER. (Hint: it’s literally honey + mustard). . . . I don’t do grains often as they promote inflammation, affect digestion, and contain anti nutrients that prevent mineral absorption. When i do choose to cook with them, I make sure they’re sprouted or fermented - this breaks down the problematic phytates and oxalates which improves digestion and increases nutrient bioavailability. Sprouted foods are also more nutrient dense, and fermented foods are good for your gut! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #balancednotclean #foodasmedicine #prolactinoma #hormonebalance #hormonehealth #selfcare #intuitiveeating #balance #foodfreedom #infertility #amenorrhea #hypothalamicamenorrhea #amenorrhearecovery #hormonehealth #naturalfertility #fertilitydiet #fertilitywarrior #fitpregnancy #healthypregnancy #hormonebalancing #plantmedicine #holisticnutrition #holisticnutritionist #nutritionist #herbalist #wapf #westonaprice #sprouted #fermented

Summer bliss: . . . crystal clear, bathtub warm water . blue sky as far as the eye can see . miles and miles of unexplored crags to play and climb, and . no obligations to be anywhere but in the present. . . . . Heaven on earth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #lifeofadventures #liveoutdoors #theoutdoorfolk #adventureculture #roadlesstravelled #modernoutdoors #welivetoexplore #bevisuallyinspired #perspective #optoutside #travelawesome #roamtheplanet #goneoutdoors #lifestylephotography #lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #canonphotography #westcoast #adventuretime #adventureculture #wildernessculture #mindfulness #gratitude #healing #holisticnutrition #holistichealth #pnw #pnwonderland #bitchesonpitches #womenwhoclimb #sportclimbing

There’s something enticing about spontaneous adventures - just going with wherever the day takes you. . . . But this also comes with a risk... having no plan can lead to random events of awesomeness, but it can also lead to headaches and disappointment. . . . Quadra was a mix of the two. We had an end game in sight (climbing), and we had a *vague* idea of where to camp, but sometimes the stars just don’t line up. We ended up at a highly populated campsite along Rebecca Spit instead of our anticipated hidden back road spot. We were up all night to kids screaming and dogs barking. The next day, we managed to miss the (bushwacky) turn off to the crag, and ended up hiking a good 20 minutes past where we needed to be. . . But the silver lining was that the trail led to the most pristine, sparkly lake with the warmest water we’ve ever swam in. Reading the guidebook a little closer, we found the poorly marked turn off, and made it up to this beautiful crag full of awesome bolted routes...all overlooking the lake! And the hike itself was beautiful. . . Well played, Quadra. We’ll be back with a better camping plan and a few days to conquer more crags! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bitchesonpitches #climbergirl #climbing #dirtbag #ladyclimber #tradisrad #tradclimbing #climbon #womenclimb #girlswhoclimb #bitchesonpitches #climbing_photos_of_instagram #climbing_is_my_passion #womenwhoclimb #sportclimbing #neverstopexploring #optoutside #adventureculture #wildernessculture #modernoutdoors #mountaingirls #leadclimbing

Orange creamsicle smoothie... one of my favourite summer treats for those days that it’s just too hot to eat breakfast! . . . 1 cup of raw grass-fed milk 1 orange, peeled 1 cup zucccini, steamed and frozen (thickens just like banana without the sugar and starch) 1/4 cup raw oats 2 Tbsp collagen powder 1 date 1 tsp vanilla extract or powder Orange oil Pinch of sea salt Cordyceps mushroom powder (for its energizing properties - stimulant free) Dandelion root powder (for the liver and digestive support) 1 tsp of chicory inulin (to feed the healthy gut bacteria) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #balancednotclean #foodasmedicine #prolactinoma #hormonebalance #hormonehealth #pcosdiet #holistichealth #holisticnutrition #selfcare #intuitiveeating #balance #alternativemedicine #foodfreedom #infertility #amenorrhea #hypothalamicamenorrhea #amenorrhearecovery #hormonehealth #naturalfertility #fertilitydiet #fertilitywarrior #fitpregnancy #healthypregnancy #hormonebalancing #plantmedicine #holisticnutrition #holisticnutritionist #nutritionist #herbalist #smoothie #westonaprice #wapf

Hours & Info

Inner Strength Acupuncture and Health
Suite 25B, 215 Port Augusta Street
Comox, British Columbia
(250) 941-0961

Edible Island Whole Foods Market
477 6th Street, Courtenay, BC

(250) 334-3116